Obit of Durham, Jerry Huston - Unknown County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 21 Dec 2008 Return to Unknown County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/okstate.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Jerry Durham Thursday, August 23, 2007 12:32 AM PDT Jerry Huston Durham passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Monday, Aug. 13, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son and uncle, a faithful and true friend and an active member of the Napa Valley community. Jerry is survived by his devoted wife Sharon, his daughter and son- in-law Diane and Rick Lawley of Napa, his son and his son’s partner Jeffrey Durham and Joey Wolosz of Yountville, his son and daughter- in-law Jerry and Karin Durham of Oakland, his grandsons Michael and Matthew Goetz of Napa, his father Bill Durham of Napa, his sister Jean Eoff of Lake County, his brother-in-law Gregory Vaio of Stateline-Reno, his nephew Michael Eoff of Pope Valley, his niece Pam Harris of Jackson and by a host of extended family members and dear friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Vernetta Durham of Napa, his brother Billy Ray Durham of Napa, his brother-in-law Virgil Eoff of Lake County and his in-laws Americo and Josephine Vaio of Crockett. Jerry was born in Holdenville, Okla., on June 14, 1932, and moved to Napa with his family in 1940. Jerry graduated from Napa High School and received his A.A. degree from Napa Junior College. In 1952, Jerry became one of the youngest members of the City of Napa Fire Department, beginning his lifelong career of service to his community. Jerry was a mentor for many young firefighters during his career. He always led by example and showed a strong work ethic up until the very day he retired. He was a quiet man, eager to provide a helping hand to anyone in the department, and he consistently looked for ways of better serving the community he loved. During his career, Jerry rose to the ranks of C shift battalion chief, which is the rank he held upon his retirement in 1985. In addition to his service to the fire department, Jerry was a local contractor and a self-taught vintner who farmed 20 acres of sauvignon blanc and gewurztraminer. Jerry also volunteered for many years in logistics for the Napa Valley Wine Auction. Jerry met his wife Sharon in 1967; they were married on July 10, 1971. Jerry and Sharon were devoted to each other and to their children. It was with great joy that Jerry and Sharon renewed their wedding vows on their 35th anniversary at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with their children and grandchildren serving as their attendants. Jerry provided an endless supply of love, counsel and support to his family. Later in life, Jerry’s greatest joy came from actively participating in the lives of his two grandsons, Michael and Matthew, of whom he was so proud. The lessons he taught will continue to guide us, his spirit surrounds us and we take courage from the quiet, dignified example he set for us all. Jerry’s children would like to thank their mother Sharon who took such loving care of their father, putting aside her own grief to allow him to spend his last days at home. Jerry’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the members of Fire Station #4 who were there for us in our most difficult hours. We thank them for their compassion; they truly are heroes. A public memorial service in Jerry’s honor will be held on Sunday, Aug. 26, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The service will take place at 3 p.m. and will be followed by a reception at the St. John the Baptist Parish Hall. All are invited to attend. A private service and interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Napa City Firefighters Association (NCFA), 3379 Solano Ave., PMB 1600, Napa, CA 94558; or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 960 Caymus St., Napa. Donations can be made to the donor’s favorite charity in Jerry’s name. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Unknown County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/okstate.html